Skopje, 1 November 2024 (MIA) - Most citizens believe that North Macedonia is moving in a positive direction, according to a recent telephone survey conducted by Ipsos. The survey also revealed favourable opinions regarding the government’s performance in its first hundred days following the elections.

Respondents identified crime and corruption, as well as economic issues and living standards, as the most significant problems. The politician enjoying the highest level of trust among citizens is Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, alongside the political party VMRO-DPMNE.

During the telephone survey conducted between October 9 and 13 with 1,200 respondents, 25 percent answered that the country is heading in a positive direction, 24.9 percent said it is somewhat positive, 12.5 percent somewhat negative, 24.3 percent negative, and 13.2 percent of participants were unsure or did not respond.

Regarding citizens' opinions on the government's performance in its first hundred days, 28.4 percent rated it as positive, 27.1 percent considered it somewhat positive, 9.3 percent thought it was somewhat negative, 21.6 percent regarded it as negative, while 13.6 percent were either unsure or did not respond.

When considering the government's performance in the first 100 days, 51.1 percent of citizens believe it is better than the previous government of SDSM and DUI, 12.7 percent think it is worse, 28.6 percent feel it is the same, while 7.6 percent of respondents were unsure or did not provide an answer.

When asked about the biggest problem facing North Macedonia that the government must urgently address, 37.5 percent responded that it is crime and corruption, 19.7 percent pointed to the economy and living standards, followed by unemployment, high prices, and the quality of education and healthcare.

Citizens have the most trust in Prime Minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski, with 27.8 percent expressing confidence in him; however, a nearly equal percentage, 26.5 percent, reported that they do not trust any politician.

With the highest rating after Prime Minister Mickoski, Venko Filipche, president of SDSM, stands at 5.5 percent, followed by Maksim Dimitrievski with 4.3 percent and Dimitar Apasiev from Levica with 4 percent. Among the leaders of Albanian parties, Ali Ahmeti from DUI ranks first with 8.6 percent, while Arben Taravari from AA has 2.7 percent and Izet Mexhiti from the Democratic Movement has 1.9 percent.

According to the October field survey conducted by VMRO-DPMNE among 1,005 respondents, this ruling party holds the highest rating, with 26 percent of citizens stating they would vote for it if elections were held.

Seven percent of respondents said they would vote for DUI, Worth It, and SDSM, five percent for Levica, and two percent for ZNAM. Additionally, 23 percent responded that they would not vote, and 14 percent declined to answer.

More than half of the respondents stated that they do not support the French deal, while 28 percent said they are in favour of it.
When asked whether they believe the Constitution should be amended to begin negotiations with the EU, provided that the amendment has a delayed effect, 52 percent answered yes, while 42 percent opposed amending the Constitution under such a condition.

Photo: MIA archive